Heisman Buzz Continues To Grow For BYU Gunslinger Zach Wilson

PROVO, Utah – BYU quarterback Zach Wilson is a hot commodity right now in the college football landscape. The headlines and praise are so hot; it’s now reached the point where Wilson is now squarely in the Heisman conversation.

CBS’ Dennis Dodd placed Zach Wilson at No. 6 in his Heisman Watch ballot. Behind players from Florida, Alabama, and Clemson, three of the top-ranked teams in the country right now.

Week 5 Heisman Watch:
1, Kyle Trask, Florida
2, Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
3, Travis Etienne, Clemson
4, Kyle Pitts, Florida
5, Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
6, Zach Wilson, BYU
7, John Metchie III, Alabama
8, Shane Buechele, SMU
9, D'Eriq King, Miami

— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) October 6, 2020

Wilson has dazzled with his efficiency, his big arm, and his ability when needed. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound quarterback is second in the country in passing efficiency at 221.9 per game. He’s no. 1 in completion percentage at 84.5 percent per game and he finds himself in the top five of yards per pass attempt, points responsible for, passing yards per completion, and rushing touchdowns.

Zach Wilson keeps gaining Heisman attention

Wilson is also eighth nationally in passing yards with 949 through three games, and he’s a big reason the Cougars are No. 15 in the national polls and undefeated with a 3-0 record.

Pro Football Focus also tabbed Wilson in their weekly Heisman Watch list.

The 2020 Heisman Trophy race🏆 pic.twitter.com/lQt0hAbgr4

— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 6, 2020

Is it premature to say Wilson is in the conversation with a guy like Trevor Lawrence? Maybe. But if Mac Jones from Alabama can be inserted into the Heisman conversation after two games this season, why not Wilson? Especially in a year where normal doesn’t sit right in college football and life for that matter.

ESPN even had Wilson in their “Heisman Five” for this week, along with Lawrence, Jones, Kyle Trask (Florida), D’Eriq King (Miami).

BYU, in its history, has produced one Heisman Trophy winner. That was Ty Detmer in 1990. Detmer had the chance to play No. 1-ranked Miami to catapult him into Heisman glory. Wilson might not have that game that gives him the signature Heisman moment, but if he keeps dominating his opposition the way he is right now, he could continue to be in the mix for college football’s highest honor this season.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m., KSL Newsradio). Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.